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Michael Connell is an expert in Persian-Gulf security-related issues, the armed forces of Iran, U.S.-GCC security cooperation, and adversary cyber policy and strategy. He has served as CNA's Field Analyst to Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).

Prior to joining CNA, Connell was an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army.

Connell has a Ph.D. in History and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University and a B.A. in Near East Studies from Brandeis University. He speaks Persian and French.

RECENT NEWS

September 1, 2018

Michael Connell says, “Russian hackers appear to be broadening their target set, but I think tying it to the midterm elections is pure speculation at this point.”

Michael Connell says, "When we did Stuxnet, it was designed to achieve a very specific purpose. We designed it to be non-lethal and restricted, to affect only the centrifuges associated with Iran's nuclear program. Its effects were designed to be tactical in nature."